Voting disrupted in Rajouri following clashes

Jammu, Nov 23 (IANS) Polling was disrupted Sunday at half a dozen polling stations in Darhal and Rajouri constituencies in the Jammu region following clashes between supporters of various political parties and independent candidates.The police had to open fire to disperse stone-pelting groups of supporters of the National Conference (NC) and other parties at the Badadarhal polling station in the Darhal constituency.

District election authorities said order had been restored and balloting would begin shortly here.

Four constituencies, Darhal, Rajouri, Kalakote and Nowshera in Rajouri district went to the polls Sunday morning with as many as 59 candidates in the fray. Two other constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir where balloting started are Ganderbal and Kangan in the Kashmir Valley.

This is the second of the seven-phase assembly elections in the strife-torn state.